Monitoring Violations MA

Norfolk Water Division

EPA ID: MA2208000 · 7,602 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Right now, Norfolk Water Division shows 1 EPA violation marked active and unresolved — the provider continues to supply approximately 7,602 residents while each finding awaits closure.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

B · 74
Avg Safety Score
7,602
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
6
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.001 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
5
Contaminants Flagged
$642K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Norfolk Water Division Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$202,629
Median Household Income
13,233
Service Area Population
6%
Disadvantaged Population
20th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
69%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Norfolk Water Division serves a community with a median household income of $202,629 and an estimated 13,233 residents across its service area. Approximately 69% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Norfolk Water Division's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
70th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Norfolk County, Massachusetts rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

52 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
16 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 76% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Norfolk Water Division compares to EPA limits

Nitrate 1 mg/L (as nitrogen) (10% of limit)
0 EPA Limit: 10 mg/L (as nitrogen)
Blue baby syndrome in infants; potential cancer risk in adults

What This Means For You

Contaminant 2400 at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Contaminant 1039 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Contaminant 1085 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 11 detections recorded. 2 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

State limits: PFAS6: 0.02 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Nitrate was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Massachusetts

B 0 violations
C 3 violations
B 6 violations
C 0 violations
D 1 violation

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Radon Mitigation
Flood Insurance $1,200
PFAS Treatment $550
Radon Mitigation $400
Total Estimated Cost $2,150

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,165
10 years
$10,330
20 years
$20,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,150 (one-time) vs. $10,330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Norfolk Water Division (EPA ID: MA2208000) is a community water system in Massachusetts that serves approximately 7,602 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: B (74/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

6 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
October 1, 2023 Contaminant 2400 Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2023 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2023 Contaminant 1039 Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2023 Nitrate Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Contaminant 2400 Other Violation 2 No
Nitrate Inorganic 1 No
Contaminant 1039 Other Violation 1 No
Contaminant 1085 Other Violation 1 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
02056 0.001 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 1 ZIP code confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Norfolk Water Division (MA2208000) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Norfolk Water Division water safe to drink?

Norfolk Water Division has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does Norfolk Water Division serve?

Norfolk Water Division serves approximately 7,602 people across 2 ZIP codes in Massachusetts.

Where does Norfolk Water Division get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
508-528-4990
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.
Address
Department of Public Works, 33 Medway Branch Road, Norfolk, MA 02056

Contact information from Norfolk DPW - Water Division Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Groundwater
Drawn from underground aquifers via wells.
Disinfectant used
Chlorine
Treatment chemicals reported
chlorine

Source: Norfolk DPW - Water Division Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Source water assessment from Norfolk DPW - Water Division Consumer Confidence Report:
The MassDEP has prepared a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Report for the water supply source serving the Norfolk DPW. The report assesses the susceptibility of public water supplies to contamination and makes recommendations. A susceptibility ranking of high was assigned to the wells in our system by the DEP due to the absence of hydro-geologic barriers (i.e. clay). Spruce Road and Gold Street wells are gravel-packed and presently meet all US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and MA DEP drinking water quality standards.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Standard
Disinfection plus one or more treatment additives — typically corrosion control, pH adjustment, or fluoridation. Standard regime for utilities serving treated municipal water.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chlorine

Watershed exposure sources reported

Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.

AgricultureIndustrial activitySeptic systemsUrban stormwater runoffMiningFarmingWildlifeOil and gas productionPetroleum productionResidential usesWastewater dischargesGasoline storageFire-fighting foams

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Norfolk DPW - Water Division Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
232
Detections
10
Latest sample
7/7/2025
Highest analyte
PFOA: 7 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFOA 7 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFHxA 5.4 ppt
PFPeA 5 ppt
PFOS 4.5 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFBS 4 ppt

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

PFAS Substances Detected in This System

This water system's Consumer Confidence Report disclosed the following PFAS compounds. Levels are from the utility's most recent reporting cycle.

Substance Detected level EPA limit Status
PFAS6
Not yet EPA-regulated
13.13 ppt 20 ppt Below EPA limit

In April 2024, EPA finalized the first National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS. Public water systems have until 2029 to comply. EPA — PFAS regulation overview →

Source: Consumer Confidence Report disclosed by Norfolk DPW - Water Division.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. PFAS detection data is sourced from public Consumer Confidence Reports filed by the utility itself.

Learn more about PFAS health effects and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Utility-reported lead service line presence and tap-sample lead level under federal LCRI requirements:

None reported
Lead Service Lines Reported
Non-detect
Tap Sample Lead Level

Below federal action level (0.015 mg/L)

MassDEP reports utility-level presence flag and tap-sampling without per-line breakdown. Customers should inquire with the utility about service line material at a specific address.

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Did not report any required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2025-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 7,602
Reported to Massachusetts

Source: MassDEP LCRR Service Line Inventory · Submitted 2024

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Notable events and violations

This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.

Notable events from the utility's CCR

These bullet entries are the utility's own narration of operational, regulatory, or infrastructure events during the reporting period.

Notable events from Norfolk DPW - Water Division Consumer Confidence Report:
  • Monitoring and reporting violations occurred during the 2023 monitoring period due to work being conducted on the Gold Street Wells, which caused one well to be offline and prevented sampling for some contaminants. All results were within acceptable limits.

ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.

How Water Systems Appear in Rankings

Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Norfolk Water Division safe to drink?
Norfolk Water Division earns a B safety grade with 6 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Norfolk Water Division's water?
Detected contaminants include Contaminant 2400, Contaminant 1039, Contaminant 1085, Stage 1 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 4 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Norfolk Water Division serve?
Norfolk Water Division serves approximately 7,602 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Norfolk Water Division's water source?
Norfolk Water Division draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Norfolk Water Division's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.001 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Norfolk Water Division's service area?
The Norfolk Water Division service area has a median household income of $202,629. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Norfolk Water Division get its water?
Norfolk Water Division's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Norfolk Water Division (EPA ID: MA2208000) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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